Classroom of the Elite and the Arcane Warfare

Ch. 1.3 - One Step Forward, Two Steps Backwards

Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing Magic High School—the dream school of all dream schools, the beginning and ending of all aspiring Arcanists. While it prioritizes the development and growth of one's capabilities to wield the power of the divine, the academics offered by this school are also sufficient that you're pretty much set for any occupation in life if you're lucky enough to become a proud graduate.

Putting all the blessings aside, there's no reason to think that a student's journey studying here would be anything close to flowers and butterflies. It should be close to hell. It should be persevering. It should teach despair.

If it's not like that, then is there even a reason for this school to be prestigious in the first place? After all, this school was built to become Japan's living fortress. I heard it was a desperate attempt at that.

Although it has been theorized that magic has been around since the dawn of time, we hadn't actually learned how to use it until about 300 years ago. Even then, it still saw no development until World War II when it became Germany's strongest weapon—a force lent to them by Russia. Since then, every country has been pulling their hairs out to develop their magic and see how far it can peek through the unimaginable.

Having been devastated beyond repair redemption, Japan was and still is the most desperate to attain said power. Using all that history as fuel to chase after the unattainable, this country's greed gave birth to this institution.

Though, it's not like we're currently at war or anything. It's more like, if we do get involved in an international conflict where violence is unavoidable, magic would become our sharpest sword and sturdiest shield. In other words, it's better to be prepared.

But a question crossed my mind.

How do we intend to prepare exactly?

Step.

I lay my eyes on the gates of this country's finest forge, the birthplace of our strongest weapons. 

This is it—the manifestation of all of Japan's greed.

Countless students pass by me as I stand completely still in front of the flight of stairs, merely admiring the intricacies of this institution.

Push.

"Sorry. Excuse me," a random person apologizes.

With so many students arriving at the school, my staring at the entrance started causing traffic.

"What's wrong with that guy? He's just standing still."

"I don't know. Let's just go."

Well, maybe this is not the time for me to go sightseeing.

That said, I quickly go with the flow of this sea of red uniforms and head up the stairs.

However, among this huge gathering of Arcanists, through the corner of my eye I notice a familiar blonde figure sitting at the side of the top of the stairs with his head down. It's not unusual for people to take a break. They could have any mundane reason to sit down and admire the environment, and the school encourages that with all the benches around.

However, I just know that this particular person isn't taking any sort of break.

Deciding to take a bit of a detour before entering the campus, I walk up to that person.

"Hirata Yousuke, was it?" I take a seat next to him.

"...Huh?" he raises his head. "You are..."

"I was on the bus with you. Never mind that. Are you not going to come inside?"

Hirata stays silent, his eyes starting to wander, perhaps in search for words. I'm considering leaving at this point, but he finally speaks after a few more seconds.

"I don't think I should go."

"Why do you think so?"

"Because..."

His voice trails off just as his complexion faded in color. I'm not entirely sure of the exact reason Hirata would appear so defeated. Since he's right outside of the entrance, is it safe to assume that he's getting cold feet? Maybe he feels he's not fit to become a top Arcanist?

If that's not the case, then I suppose what happened earlier on the bus is the reason he looks like a zombie. That's the only reason I can think of. As to why that incident affected him this much is a different question though.

Well, since he's having a hard time articulating his thoughts, maybe I could give him a push.

"Are you blaming yourself for what happened earlier?"

Hirata's eyes lit up briefly. His body tenses up as he gritted his teeth.

"...If I had just realized that there was only one empty seat left, no one would've gotten expelled. It's all my fault. How can I bring myself to go to school knowing that two others won't because of my mistake."

"All your fault?" I quoted him. "I think you're being too harsh on yourself. I'm sure everyone on that bus knew that guy was at fault. I think the guard could've at least excused the girl's instinct to defend herself."

"...If I hadn't been there at that moment," he pauses. "If I hadn't been there, nothing would've happened."

Although absurd, his self-deprecation had some truth to it. It's true that if Hirata hadn't been on the bus earlier, or if he had willingly chosen not to sit down, there would be a chance that no one would've gotten expelled. However, is there even any point in discussing that possibility?

"The incident happened not because of your inaction. It's because of the actions of Kawamura and Suzuki—I think those were their names."

He plants his face on his right hand, "If I accept that as the truth, it'd just be a pathetic excuse."

"You may think that, but are you absolutely certain that they wouldn't have fought if you hadn't been there? I'm pretty sure they would've found a reason to argue no matter what."

"That...," Hirata lowers his head.

"Just leave it all behind you," I turn towards the entrance. "After you enter those gates, your life wouldn't be the same either way."

"Leave it all behind, you say..."

As the stream of steps and chatter in the background occupy the silence we've made, I take a glance at the time, "Well then."

If Hirata still refuses to step foot inside campus, then there's no reason for me to stay here any longer.

Standing up, I pick up my bag and carry it on my shoulder.

"I'll be going ahead now. I hope your heart helps you decide on what you really want to do."

"Wait!" Hirata calls out to me. "What's your name?"

I face him again, "Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. Then, hope to see you soon."

I gave a slight bow before leaving.